Colombian Nationals Sentenced for Conspiring to Bomb U.S. Military Base in Colombia

Two Colombian individuals received substantial prison sentences for orchestrating an attack against U.S. soldiers by attempting to detonate a car bomb outside a military base near the Colombia-Venezuela border. The Justice Department revealed on Thursday that these individuals, identified as Andrés Fernando Medina Rodriguez, 40, and Ciro Alfonso Gutiérrez Ballesteros, 31, had been involved in a conspiracy that aimed to harm American troops stationed at the Colombian 30th Army Brigade Base in Cúcuta.

Lengthy prison sentences

Colombian nationals Medina Rodriguez and Gutiérrez Ballesteros received prison sentences of 35 and 30 years, respectively. They were sentenced for their involvement in the 2021 attempted attack with the car bomb. The Justice Department's announcement shed light on the severity of the crime and the intent to inflict harm on U.S. soldiers.

According to court documents, both individuals were affiliated with the 33rd Front, an extremist faction of Las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias (FARC). Their targeting of American troops stationed at the Colombian military base revealed a deliberate and dangerous plot to harm U.S. personnel.

Accessing the military base

The court documents highlighted the methods employed by Rodriguez and Ballesteros to access the military base. Rodriguez, who held the status of a medically discharged Colombian army officer, exploited his position to gain access to the base. He conducted photographic and video surveillance of the areas where the U.S. soldiers were primarily located.

Approximately 10 days prior to the planned attack, Rodriguez and Ballesteros delivered a white SUV to their co-conspirators within the 33rd Front. This vehicle was subsequently loaded with an improvised explosive device. On June 15, 2021, Rodriguez drove the SUV to the 30th Army Brigade Base, parking it in front of the area where both U.S. and Colombian military personnel operated. Ballesteros, accompanying him on a motorcycle, took part in the execution of the plot. Following the activation of the bomb's timer device, the two individuals fled the scene, attempting to evade capture after carrying out the act of treachery.

Consequences of the attack

The attempt to detonate the car bomb resulted in injuries to three U.S. Army soldiers and 44 Colombian military personnel. The impact of the attack underscored the potential for harm against military personnel stationed overseas, emphasizing the seriousness of the defendants' actions.

Justice and accountability

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida expressed the commitment to hold accountable those targeting Americans, particularly those serving as members of the armed forces. The substantial prison sentences imposed on Medina Rodriguez and Gutiérrez Ballesteros reflect the severity of their threats against the safety and security of the United States and its citizens.

International collaboration

The FBI's Miami Field Office emphasized its dedication to investigating criminal acts against military personnel overseas. Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri highlighted the agency's collaboration with international partners and security services to gather evidence from abroad for criminal prosecutions in the United States. The commitment to international cooperation reflects the seriousness with which the U.S. approaches crimes that transcend its borders.

Continued efforts and response

While the U.S. Army did not promptly respond to requests for comment regarding the sentences, the legal and law enforcement actions taken against the defendants signify the seriousness with which such threats to military personnel are treated in the U.S. judicial system. The substantial prison terms imposed on Rodriguez and Ballesteros underscore the commitment to ensuring justice and accountability for those who perpetrate violence against American forces, regardless of location.